Optimization of Small Molecule Probes for the Nervous System (SBIR [R43])

Optimization of Small Molecule Probes for the Nervous System (SBIR [R43])

Purpose. This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) encourages Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant applications from small business concerns (SBCs) that propose to develop new small molecule probes for investigating biological function in the nervous system via the application of advanced medicinal chemistry and the biological testing of compounds. Eligible SBCs will have identified probe candidates via screening of small molecule collections, using in vitro assays of biological activity developed to interrogate these collections, and be able to show that the structural features of these small molecules are related to their biological activity. Applications should nominate small molecule probe candidates from distinct structural series for the further, iterative design and testing of analogues in structure-activity relationship studies, using in vitro assays of biological function adapted to the medium throughput screening requirements of this work. These studies should have the goal of developing a small molecule probe possessing the attributes (eg: affinity, selectivity, activity) required for its use in future pharmacological studies proposed by the SBC. Applicants are strongly encouraged to utilize publicly available cheminformatic capabilities for the acquisition of compounds, and semi-custom synthesis of analogues.
Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the SBIR (R43) grant mechanism for Phase I, and runs in parallel with FOAs of identical scientific scope that encourage applications under the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) (R41) grant mechanism (PAR-09-259), and the R21 grant mechanism (PAR-09-251).
Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications. The total amount awarded and the number of awards will depend upon the quality, duration, and costs of the applications received.